The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-02
And the Real Contest Will Not Begin Until the
Alleged Senator Presents Himself TO Be
Sworn In-0ther Evidence Expected.
The Morning Scenes in the House During
the Closing Days of the Session.
Condition Of the Public Debt and Comparative
Receipts and Expenditures of the Govern
ment-An Extra Session Averted.
TURPlES CREDENTIALS.
The Committee Returns Them to the Sena'
When the Contest Will Begin.

The Committee Returns Them to the Senate
When the Contest Will Begin.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WAsHINGToN March 1-There is not the
slightest significance in the fact that the COM
mittee on privileges and elections day reported
back Mr.. Turpie's credentials, with the accom-
panying papers, and asked to be discharged and
have the documents placed file. This is al
ways done in all matters presented at this
period of session, and which are to come up at
the next session. It is necessary in order to
keep the record straight. The contest will be-
gin when Turpie presents himself and seeks to
be sworn in. Then he will be challenged on the
ground that the prima face evidence of his
election presented in the form of certificate is
detective and on its face, challenges inquiry
He will not. it is said, be in until his cleo
tion is investigated. Other evidence of irregu-
larities in Turpies election are expected daily
from Indianapolis In connection with the re-
porting back of the credentials the following
proceedings occurred in the Senate:
| Mr.. Platt inquired of Mr. Hoar the meaning
| and effect of the report made this morning from
the committee on privileges and elections IN
| the case of Senator elect Turpie. of Indiana.
| Mr. Hoar replied that, under a general rule of
| the Senate. the functions of that committee ex-
l
| turned to the Senate ana placed on file. Ii the
credentials of Mr. Turpie had been retained by
| the committee without action until noon OF the
4th of March, the thing, under the operations of
that general rule, would have then happened
| which had happened this morning-th that is the
| papers would have gone on the file of the Sem
| ate, and the committee would have been dis
! charged from their further consideration. The
| only alternative to that course would have been
an assumption by the committee, or by the SEN
ate, at the present session, to deal
with the credentials of gentle
before the time had arrived for the
| beginning of his term and before he had pre-
sented himself The Senate was continuing
| body, and it was. therefore, possible that it
might oe within its constitutions! power to de-
| termine, in advance, the right of Senator to
! his seat but 1t would be violation of all con-
stitutional precedents, and it would be, in his
judgment. violatioa of the sense of justice and
| propriety of the Senate and OF the American
| people The effect, therefore. Of the report was
simply to demand TO the action ofethe Senate tto
be taken after March Al without prejudice, with
out being in the least affected by any action
now, any question which any person might see
fit to raise. That was all. No prejudice for
| no prejudice against, any person who might con
| ceive himself entitled to hereafter
| would arise or had arisen, In consequences oi
| the action of the committee of the Senate
| this morning.